In short: The controversial actor will star in a fantasy romance series called When Time Stopped.

In detail: KeyEast has clearly been busy finding jobs for Hyun Joong after he renewed his contract with them last week. On Wednesday (June 27), it was reported that he is set to play a time traveller in 12-part fantasy romance drama When Time Stopped, which is slated for an October release. This will be his first drama in four years.

This piece of news drew unsurprisingly mixed reactions from the public: many were outraged at how the SS501 member, who was embroiled in a lengthy, messy legal battle with his ex-girlfriend and was charged with drunk driving in March last year, could still be shamelessly active in showbiz. There were also fiercely loyal devotees who defended him and expressed their excitement as his impending return.

We suppose only time (no pun intended) will tell whether this project somehow lands him back in the good graces of the public, or if the damage of his stained reputation is utterly irreversible.